www.military.ie the defence forces magazine
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route and make out a route card for the next day's test tour.
Our final assessment started in the town of Realp from where
we were to be assessed on our ability to organise a tour, plan a
route and lead a group. We split into smaller groups and took
turns to lead to our destination, the almost 3,000m peak of
Schafberg, which we reached in about four hours. Here we had
lunch and took some photos before our 45-minute descent back
to the car park.
From there all that was left to do was return our kit, collect our
certificates and go out for the end-of-course meal and a few cel-
ebratory drinks before returning
to Ireland the next afternoon.
Overall this was a great
course to be a part of and one of
the most physically demanding
I've ever done. I struggled with
the altitude in the first couple
of days but soon got used to it.
It was my first time being on a
course with people from foreign
militaries, which presented chal-
lenges but was a good learning
experience. I think everyone's
skiing and group-leading abili-
ties improved greatly.
For information on mem-
bership of the Defence Forces
Association of Mountaineers
(DFAM) as well as any upcoming
courses you can get in touch
with any member of DFAM.
